In February 2010 the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the International Volleyball Federation, has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Cuban Athlete Sirianis Mendez Hernandez after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance pseudopephedrine. After notification the Athlete filed a statement in his defence and was heard for the FIVB Anti-Doping Hearing Panel.
The Athlete stated that he suffered from asthma since childhood and therefore use prescribed medication and also received the appropriate TUE when he played in Cuba.
Contracted in Poland the trainer told him that the club doctor would apply for the appropriate TUE and he didn’t know that the substance pseudoephedrine, ingredient in his medication, was entered in het new WADA 2010 Prohibited List.
The Panel finds that the Athlete should have reviewed the WADA 2010 Prohibited List before using his medication but due to his asthma he also had no intention to enhance his sport performance,
Considering the principle of proportionality the FIVB Anti-Doping Hearing Panel decides on 13 September 2010 to impose a 3 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on 17 August 2010.
